Hair drying shield



Feb. 22, 1966 s. o. COLEMAN 3,235,882

HAIR DRYING SHIELD Filed Dec. 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ja/fl'e 0. Co/emdfl zgjmggzz. w 6% BY w, 4.5% ip Mt Feb. 22, 1966 s. o. COLEMAN HAIR DRYING SHIELD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1962 United States Patent 3,235,882 HAIR DRYING SHIELD Sallie 0. Coleman, 2815 Greenbrier, Apt. 3, Houston, Tex. Filed Dec. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 242,679 2 Claims. (Cl. 2-174) This invention relates to an improved hair drying shield for protecting the forehead, face, neck, ears and shoulders from hot air while drying the hair with a hair dryer.

It would be highly advantageous to provide a shield which is fitted under the hair line and is contoured to fit the forehead, temples, about the ears and back of the neck at the hair line which can be fastened tight without buckling and the like so as to maintain a snug fit without disarranging the hair, and one which utilizes replaceable ear guards or protectors for fitting over and protecting the ears from hot air. The present invention is directed to such a shield.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shield contoured to fit snugly along the hair line for protecting the forehead, face, neck, ears and shoulders from hot air while drying the hair with a hair dryer without disarranging the hair.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a shield which is shaped to snugly fit along the hair line of the head of the user and which includes replaceable absorbent ear fiaps for protecting the ears and yet does not disarrange the hair.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of such a shield which may be readily secured which snugly fits heads of different sizes, which does not interfere with movement of the head, which absorbs the dryer noise, and which can be used as a utility cape when applying makeup by placing it around the shoulders of the user.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of such a shield which is readily and easily manufactured from relatively inexpensive material.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE l is a side view illustrating a shield according to the invention secured about a head and in position for use,

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic view with the shield removed showing the contoured headband andear protectors about a head in position for use,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the shield of FIGURE 1 and the headband of FIGURE 2 laid out in a fiat plane,

FIGURE 4 is a side, elevational view, in section, illustrating the ear protectors of FIGURES l, 2 and 3 in use,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating the ear protector of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 4 illustrating a modified ear protector shown in use, and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating the ear protector of FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG- URE 3, the shield is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and include-s a body or shield portion 12 which is provided with the opening or cut-out portion 14 through which the head of the user fits, which terminates in the spaced-apart wing sections 16, the cut-out portion or opening 14 and the wing sections 16 being such that the shield 10 fits around the head of the user along the hairline and about the ears with the wings 16 overlapping slightly, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, a contoured headband 18 is secured in any desired manner along the margin of "ice the cut-out portion 14, as best seen in FIGURE 4. Referring again to FIGURE 3, the ends 20 of the headband 18 preferably extend beyond the wing sections 16, although they may extend otherwise as desired.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, to which reference is now made, the headband 18 is contoured so that it snugly but comfortably fits about the head of the user. Thus, for example, an inwardly bowed portion 22 is provided to snugly fit in the region of the temples of the head of the user, and the outwardly bowed portion 24 is provided to smoothly fit about the ears and neck at the hairline of the user. Thus, a snug yet comfortable fit is provided.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, the ear protectors 26 are removably secured to the shield 10, such as the inner portion of the band 18 or a portion of the shield or body member 12 in any desired manner in the region of the ears for covering and protecting the ears of the user from the hot air and for absorbing the objectionable noise from the hair dryer.

The details of the ear protectors 26 are best illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. Referring now to FIGURE 5, the ear protector 26 includes a generally elongate rounded or oval base member 28 which, as best seen in FIGURE 4, includes the securing means 36 on its back side, for example, a Velcro type fastener for adjustably securing it to the headband 18.

Preferably, the base is made of a two-ply material and, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, is'provided with a bottom slit 32 and a pair of upper slits 34 on its front or inwardly-facing portion for receiving the ear protective flap 36 so that it might be releasably secured to the base 28 of the ear protector 26 and readily replaced, when desired.

While the protective ear flap 36 may take any desired form and, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, this may take generally an hour-glass type configuration, when viewed in plan. Thus, in this form, the lower enlarged tab 38 is placed thorugh the slit 32, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, and placed up under and in between the two plys of the base 26. The central body portion 40 is disposed against the base 28, and the upper portion or flap 41 is placed through the slits 34 in the base 28 whereby the protective ear flap 36 is securely maintained in position by the base 28, yet which can be readily and quickly removed and replaced after each use, if desired.

As best seen in FIGURE 4, the protective ear flap 36 thus is disposed against the ear E of the user, with the upper portion 41 extending down over the top of the ear E thus completely protecting the ear from hot air while in use.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, a pair of pockets 42, only one being shown, and one on each side, may be provided, if desired, in connection with the body or shield portion 12 for receiving the ear protectors 26 when not in use.

The body or shield portion 12, headband 18, and base 28 of the ear protectors 26 may be formed of any suitable sheet-like material which will prevent hot air from blowing on the user when in use. Preferably, the various plastic materials may be utilized, and these may be quilted, if desired, and be made of either one or more ply material. The ear flaps 36 should be made of some soft absorbent material suitable for absorbing perspiration and the like, for example, cotton flannel, rubber foam, soft papers and the like. These should be made of some material which is soft, absorbent and disposable. If desired, the entire shield may be formed of a disposable material, for example, paper and the like.

Any suitable means may be utilized for securing the ends 20 of the headband 18 about the head of the user. As here shown, a Velcro fastener 44 is illustrated, although any other means may be utilized so that the headband 18 is snugly secured about the head of the user.

3 In use, and with ,reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the headband 18 is fitted about the hairline of the user as illustrated. It is noted that the wing sections 16 of the body or shield 12 overlap slightly, as best seen in FIG- URE 1-, that the band 18 follows the hairline of the user, as best seen in FIGURE 2, and snugly fits about the forehead, temples,over a portion of the ears and about the back of the neck. Also, that the ear protectors 26 fit against and protect the cars by virtue of the body 40 and flaps 41 which extend over the ears of the user, as best illustrated in FIGURE 4.

A modification with respect to the ear protector and its manner of securing the ear flap to the base 28 thereof is illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7 in which the reference letter a has been added to numerals designating corresponding parts in the preceding views. In general, in this modification, Velcro fasteners 32a and 34a are applied to the ear protector base 28a and the back of the protecting member or flap 36a. Thus, this member is releasably secured to the base member 28a by these fasteners.

The manner of use and other parts are substantially the same as those previously described, and as shown in.FIG- URE 5. Accordingly, no more detail or description of this embodiment is deemed necessary or given.

The ear protectors may assume a wide variety of shapes and any desired means may be utilized to secure the ear protectors to the shield as previously described.

If desired, the base members 28 and 28a and the like may be secured to the hood so that this member cannot be detached, such as by stitching and the like. Preferably, .the member 36 which engages and protects the ear, however, is detachably held in place by the base member 28 and 28a so that it may be changed after each use.

The various parts may be formed and secured together by any desired means, such as by stitching, sealing, such as heat sealing of plastics, and the like. Also, any desired means may be utilized to releasably attach the various parts as previously described.

In use, the shield is secured about the head of the user as previously described. The hair' is then exposed to the hot air of the dryer, yet the forehead, face, ears, neck and shoulders of the user are shielded and protected from the hot air. The hood is comfortable and does not disarrange the hair when in use since it snugly fits at or just below the hair line of the user. In addition the user may conveniently turnher head While under the dryer without having the shield contact or bump the dryer. Also the shield may be used as a general utility cape by placing the shield about the shoulders of the user and fastening the ends 20 about the neck whereby hair applications and makeup will not contact or soil the shoulders of the garmet the user is wearing.

In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, the shield of the present invention reduces expense of the beauty shop by eliminating the use of absorbents such as cotton, rubber foam, paper and the like for ear and forehead protection and eliminates the use of an extra towel. The shield effectively prevents the air from drying the skin, and when used as a cape, prevents makeup from coming into contact with the apparel of the user.

The present invention is thus well adapted to attain the objects and ends and have the advantages and features mentioned as Well as others inherent therein.

While presently-preferred embodiments of the invention have been given for the purpose of disclosure, changes in details, shape, arrangement of the parts and the like may be made which are within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hair drying shield comprising,

a body portion of flexible sheet-like material having a front cut-out portion adapted to wrap snugly about the neck adjacent the hairline,

said cut-out portion forming spaced-apart wing sections provided with disconnected extending ends at the front of the cut-out portion through which the users head is received and being of a length so that the ends overlap one another when the cut-out portion is wrapped about the users head,

the body portion being of a relatively narrow width beginning at the extending ends of the wing sections and extending to a relatively wide width at its sides and back sufiicient to protect the users sides, back of the neck and shoulders,

means adjacent the ends of the wing sections for securing them together when their ends overlap,

ear protectors having an upper portion extending upwardly from the body portion adapted to be placed adjacent the users ears,

means adjustably and releasably attaching the ear protectors to an inner portion of the body portion,

ear flaps formed of absorbent material provided with an upper portion and adapted to engage the sides and extend over and cover the top of the users ears, and

means det-achably connecting the ear flaps to the ear protectors.

2. A hair drying shield comprising,

a body portion of flexible sheet-like material having a front cut-out portion forming spaced-apart wing sections at its front through which the users head is received,

the body portion being of a relatively narrow width. beginning at the extending ends of the wing sections and extending to a relaitvely wide Width at its sides and back sufficient to protect the users sides, back of the neck and shoulders,

a headband secured to the cut-out portion and provided with disconnected ends, said headband adapted to wrap snugly about the users forehead, temples, ears, sides and back of the neck adjacent the hairline, and being of a length so that the disconnected ends overlap one another when so wrapped,

means adjacent the disconnected ends of the headband for adjustably securing them together,

ear protectors having an upper portion extending upwardly from the headband adapted to be placed adjacent the users ears,

means adjustably and releasably attaching the ear protectors to an inner portion of the headband,

ear flaps formed of absorbent material provided with an upper portion and adapted to engage the sides and extend over and cover the top of the users ears, and

means detachably connecting the ear flaps to the ear protectors.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 343,924 6/ 1886 Schorestene 2 185 X 708,446 9/1902 Wile 2209 2,184,240 12/1939 McInnis 2-174 2,226,956 12/1940 Womack 2174 2,301,486 11/ 1942 Weilersteinm; 2174 X 2,335,706 11/1943 St. Clair; 2174 2,367,459 1/ 1945 Corl ey 2209 2,444,251 6/ 1948 G ldman 2209 2,447,215 8/1948 tovall 2174 2,567,524 9/19;r Morganti 2174 x 2,666,922 1 954 Torricelli 2174 2,693,599 /1954 Berg 2209 2,729,82 3 1/1956 Foster 2174 2,769,980 11/ 1956 Fleischer 2--174. 2,844,820 7/ 1958 Austin et al. 2 209 Xj /IORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. the users forehead, temples, ears, sides and bavf DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, ROBERT V. SLOAN,

Examine s. 

1. A HAIR DRYING SHIELD COMPRISING, A BODY PORTION OF FLEXIBLE SHEET-LIKE MATERIAL HAVING A FRONT CUT-OUT PORTION ADAPTED TO WRAP SNUGLY ABOUT THE USER''S FOREHEAD, TEMPLES, EARS, SIDES AND BACK OF THE NECK ADJACENT THE HAIRLINE, SAID CUT-OUT PORTION FORMING SPACED-APART WING SECTIONS PROVIDED WITH DISCONNECTED EXTENDING ENDS AT THE FRONT OF THE CUT-OUT PORTION THROUGH WHICH THE USER''S HEAD IS RECEIVED AND BEING OF A LENGTH SO THAT THE ENDS OVERLAP ONE ANOTHER WHEN THE CUT-OFF PORTION IS WRAPPED ABOUT THE USER''S HEAD, THE BODY PORTION BEING OF A RELATIVELY NARROW WIDTH BEGINNING AT THE EXTENDING ENDS OF THE WING SECTIONS AND EXTENDING TO A RELATIVELY WIDE WIDTH AT ITS SIDES AND BACK SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT THE USER''S SIDES, BACK OF THE NECK AND SHOULDERS, MEANS ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE WING SECTIONS FOR SECURING THEM TOGETHER WHEN THEIR ENDS OVERLAP, EAR PROTECTORS HAVING AN UPPER PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE BODY PORTION ADAPTED TO BE PLACED ADJACENT THE USER''S EARS, MEANS ADJUSTABLY AND RELEASABLY ATTACHING THE EAR PROTECTORS TO AN INNER PORTION OF THE BODY PORTION, EAR FLAPS FORMED OF ABSORBENT MATERIAL PROVIDED WITH AN UPPER PORTION AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE SIDES AND EXTEND OVER AND COVER THE TOP OF THE USER''S EARS, AND MEANS DETACHABLY CONNECTING THE EAR FLAPS TO THE EAR PROTECTORS. 